Mango fruit borer Citripestis eutraphera (Meyrick) in South Gujarat: Need for domestic quarantine

An indigenous restricted fruit borer Citripestis eutraphera (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) was observed in south Gujarat causing extensive damage. Surveillance conducted in 2015 and 2016 at the Agriculture Experimental Station, NAU, Paria and farmers’ fields revealed 5–45% infestation. Population dynamics with correlation studies revealed that sunshine hours influence its incidence in a positive manner (r= 0.673) whereas, rainfall showed a negative effect. The weather factors were observed to explain the variation in infestation to an extent of 48% and this forewarning model might provide decision support for its IPM.